Cousins & Cousins has completed a vernacular-inspired four-storey house in Highgate, north London

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Jack Hobhouse, Alan Williams

Designed by Cousins & Cousins, Kenwood Lee House is a 750-square-metre family dwelling located in Highgate Conservation Area, north London.  The four-storey scheme comprises an open-plan kitchen, living and dining space, seven bedrooms, a swimming pool, cinema, gym and spa. Built on a challenging site, the house draws inspiration from the surrounding Arts and Crafts and ‘Quennellian’ vernacular.

One of the defining features of the Arts & Craft movement was its interest in the vernacular, while at the same time creating something unique and contextual, says the architect. Highgate House attempts to emulate these ideas through its scale, massing, detailing and use of materials.

Externally the house is conceived as a contemporary double-fronted villa. The front facade references the predominately brick streetscape with matching eaves, ridges and gables. By contrast, the rear elevation is entirely glazed – except for a series of series of hardwood shutters – providing a strong connection to the garden and landscape beyond.

Inside, the living spaces are organised around a triple-height atrium with a board-marked concrete core. “The concrete was interesting because you only get one chance at pouring it”, says Ben Cousins. “It is a record of that moment. The timber formwork is as important as the concrete itself. It not only created the board marking on the concrete, but was also reused as cladding for the gym and swimming pool wall.”

Located on either side of the concrete core, cantilevered oak clad staircases wind their way up through the building. Bridges across the atrium connect the master bedroom to an ensuite bathroom and dressing room, while also framing views out. The solidity of the concrete walls is intended to contrast with the slender lightweight bridges and staircases that move between them. A sliding door and double-sided marble fireplace subdivide and articulate the open-plan living area.

The 400-square-metre basement is naturally by light wells sunk into lawn and forecourt, as well the glazed courtyard. Intended to express solidity and quality, as well as an honest approach to materiality, meticulous detailing is employed through out the project.

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